Sport news in brief
Hales plays down England redemption story
Alex Hales poured cold water on his England return as a story of redemption, insisting he is just happy to be back in the set-up after sending them into the T20 World Cup final. Hales’ positive recreational drugs test on the eve of the 2019 50-over World Cup campaign was one misdemeanour too many and he spent the next three-and-a-half years in the international wilderness. But Jason Roy’s alarming dip in form in the summer and Jonny Bairstow’s freak golfing injury offered Hales a lifeline and the
opening batter has grasped the unexpected opportunity with both hands.
Seven of England’s 10 sixes came off his bat in a blistering 86 not out off 47 balls but Hales rejected the suggestion he was unleashing any pent-up frustration on India’s overwhelmed bowlers. “No, I don’t think so,” Hales said. “That’s not what’s on my mind. I’m just playing with a smile on my face in an England shirt again. It’s not why I play the game for stuff like that. To get the chance to play for England again in a time where I feel like I’m playing the best T20 cricket of my career is a great feeling and maybe a chance I didn’t think would come around again.” PA
Farrell warns Ireland caps ‘are not gimmes’ ahead of Fiji clash
Andy Farrell warned that Test caps “are not gimmes” as he admitted underwhelming second-team performances had cost some of Ireland’s fringe players a place in his squad to face Fiji. Head coach Farrell has promoted only two of the players who featured in Ireland A’s resounding 47-19 defeat to an All Blacks XV to his starting line-up for today’s match in Dublin.
Farrell had always planned to retain an experienced core against the Flying Fijians but said last Friday’s second-string game had impacted his selection and stressed sub-par displays will not be tolerated. “There’s a bit of both in that,” he said. “Test matches are not gimmes, certainly at this stage. Test matches have to be earned.” PA
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